As sleeper hits often emerge quietly, Tum Bin remains one of the most profound and lasting examples. This 2001 film didn’t boast of any major stars but instead relied on its immensely popular soundtrack and the fresh vision of a debut director. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a box office success and has since acquired cult classic status. This marked the nascent stage of a promising career for filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, although the path ahead was anything but smooth. At one point, the director found himself without enough money to afford a car ride, let alone sustain his filmmaking dreams.
In 2018, Anubhav Sinha directed Mulk, a hard-hitting legal drama exploring themes of religious persecution and ingrained stereotypes. The film starred Tapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor, but the absence of ‘big stars’ meant Sinha struggled to find investors willing to back the project. Consequently, he had to invest a substantial amount of his own money into the production. Tapsee Pannu, reflecting on those challenging days in a recent interview with an Indian Express show, disclosed the adversities they faced. She recounted how financial constraints compelled Sinha to commute to the film set via an e-rickshaw, while making sure at least the actors had comfortable car rides.
Despite the hardships, Mulk eventually managed to become a moderate success, earning Rs 28 crore against a production budget of Rs 19 crore. The moderate box office success of Mulk laid the foundation for Sinha to address even more complex social issues in his subsequent films – Article 15 and Thappad. Encouragingly, both films resonated with audiences and were successful at the box office, solidifying Sinha’s position as a filmmaker with a keen eye for societal issues.
Between these notable films, Sinha’s journey is marked by significant ups and downs. After creating an impact with Tum Bin and experimenting with romance in Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai, he shifted gears towards action thrillers with the 2005 film Dus. His aspirations led him to embark on a much more ambitious project, culminating in the 2011 sci-fi superhero film Ra.One.
. This film starred Bollywood heavyweights Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, and Kareena Kapoor, and was touted as the most expensive Indian film at the time with a reported budget of Rs 150 crore.
Ra.One, however, did not perform as expected at the domestic box office, grossing Rs 114 crore. Despite its strong showing in overseas markets, resulting in the film recovering its costs, it was still deemed one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most significant disappointments in terms of box office performance for years.
The inability of Ra.One to captivate the domestic audience served as a bitter lesson for Sinha. It made him introspect and recalibrate his approach towards filmmaking, pushing him towards more meaningful cinema that dialogues with the heart of societal issues. His later works, such as Mulk, Article 15, and Thappad, perhaps bear the mark of this renewed focus and determination.
Article 15, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, delves into the harsh realities of caste-based discrimination and societal inequities. It was acclaimed for its raw and unflinching portrayal of systemic injustices and was a commercial success, deeply resonating with audiences both in India and internationally. Thappad, on the other hand, tackles the issue of domestic violence and patriarchal norms, further establishing Sinha’s reputation as a socially conscious filmmaker.
Such setbacks and recoveries chronicle the unyielding journey of Anubhav Sinha. His story is not just one of sporadic success but one that stresses perseverance, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of meaningful storytelling. His resolve to create films that spark discussion about important social issues, even in the face of financial difficulty and initial failure, encapsulates the spirit of an artist committed to his craft.
Today, Anubhav Sinha stands as a testament to the rugged unpredictability of the film industry, having journeyed from intensely personal lows to professional acclaim with films that demand thoughtful engagement. His career thus far underscores that while the path of a filmmaker is fraught with obstacles, the determination to tell impactful stories remains the guiding light.
